Bradford councillors meet to look at huge City Village regeneration project
City Village will see around 1,000 homes built on the sites of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, the Oastler Centre and a series of car parks
ONE of the biggest redevelopment projects in Bradford’s recent history will go before a planning committee tomorrow.
When completed, City Village will see around 1,000 homes built on the sites of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, the Oastler Centre and a series of Council owned car parks off Chain Street.
At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday morning, members will decide on the first major planning application for the site.
The application is for the demolition of a swathe of buildings on and around the Oastler centre site, and a detailed planning permission for the erection of 97 dwellings on the Oastler and Chain Street sites.
The Oastler Centre has been vacant since Darley Street Market opened last Summer.
It is also for outline planning permission for the erection up to 903 dwellings and up to 7,000sqm of retail and community uses, a new public park, car and cycle parking and “other associated infrastructure and engineering works.”
Members will be urged to approve the development.
The scheme is being delivered by ECF (the partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse) and Bradford Council, and is seen as one of the main regeneration schemes for the city.
It was recently described as one of seven “game changers” for the District in the new Built Different economic plan that sets out the growth potential of Bradford over the next decade.
Despite the enormity of the scheme, there have been no objections from members of the public – according to the Council’s planning website.
Among the various organisations to comment on the plans is Historic England.
Their representation said: “The proposal includes widening of Darley Street with the new buildings to be set further back than the current building: this is supported.
“Historic England remains supportive of the principle of this important scheme which is considered to bring about potential benefits through the regeneration in the centre of Bradford.”
The report to members of the Committee says: “The development will make an important and substantial contribution to addressing the Council’s housing land supply shortfall, including the early delivery of 97 dwellings in Phase 1, and through the outline proposals which allow for up to 903 homes to be delivered in later phases.
“Combined, the scheme will deliver up to 1,000 new dwellings in a highly sustainable city centre location, directly supporting the long-term regeneration objectives of the Bradford City Centre Area Action Plan.
“The scheme will also deliver extensive public realm enhancements, new green infrastructure, active travel connections, and up to 7,000sqm of retail and community floorspace, together with the creation of a new city centre park.”
The meeting takes place in Bradford City Hall at 10am.